Rock pickup and dumping device



March '25, 1958 A. J. McPHERsoN 2,827,969

Y ROCK PICKUP AND DUMPING DVICE Filed June ,6, 1955` A MW/MMW//yw United AStates Pa 2,827,9691f ROCK PCKUP-Ann yim.vilaine nevica' Anthony v Jj. "McPherson, Great Falls, 4Mont; Application lune 6;; 11955;..Se11ialrNa- 513,396. steiims, i (el, 17in-109i This, invention relates to power machinery and more specifically relates to a power operated rock pickup and dumping device. This application w'constitutesa continua tion-in-part of my pendingmapplication. SN; 343;91'1, filedy March 18, 1953 and entitled,n Rock; Pickup and Dumping Device, now abandoned',

In order to effectively, pick up the rocks and field stones which hamper the working of the ground lina feld, itI is necessary to get underpthe rocks withpthe, pickup` media such as tines or the like, so as to'lift them',k Itris well known that rocksgare usually partially embedded in the ground, In order 4to get the rock pickup media beneath the rocks or eld stones,rit` is necessary to move thegmedia through the ground beneaththeground surface; Because .A of the great friction between the rock 'pickupY media and the ground, substantial power is requiredI in order to force this rock pickup media throughk the ground and to operatethe pickup device. It hasbeen found that, substantial power is required to pushtines throughthe-ground-r and, Y

occasionally, rocks will becomelodged between adjacent tines..` s o as` to require more power to operate ther rock pickup device or requires that the devicebe stoppedand the lodgedrock-or eldastone be dislodged. It has, also been found that occasionally thetines will strikeafrock substantially dead center and therock is pushed along for a` short way until the rock either passes under. theitines or passes upwardlythereonto.

With these comments in mind, it isv to the provisionof a rock pickup device to overcome these variousfaetors that myV inventionv is directed along, with the inclusion therein ofother novel and desirable features.-

An; object of my invention is to provide anew and improved device of relatively simple and inexpensive construction, maintenance and operation, for -picking up and collecting rocks and field stones witha minimurnof power, expenditure when the same is `operated infalieldfor clearing the rocks'therefrom.

Another object of vmy, invention is the provision of-a novel rocknpickup device constructed to permit the` free :dowv of rocks thereonto4 and to` limit the jamming` of rocks thereon as the same are being picked up. l

A still further object` of my invention is to provide `a new rock picking. device having tines which pass through theground adjacent the surfacel for picking up and collecting rocks thereon and which are so constructedasfto substantially preclude rocks and field stones from becoming lodged therebetween.

A further object;` of my invention is, the provisionof an improved rock pickup device comprisingzan` attachment Y 2,827,969 Y Patented Mar. 25, 1958 ice made in connection With the accompanyingA drawings wherein like reference characters refer to theV same or similar parts throughout the several views andl in which:

Fig.` 1 'isa` perspective view with parts brokenY away, of-fthe rock-pickup device viewed from a position for.- wardly and` to 4one side thereof; and

Fig. 2A is a detailvertial `section viewV in an enlarged scale of they rock pickup device with portions thereof broken away and wherein the section is taken on a verticalfpla'ne eigtending in a fore-and-aftdirection as indicated -bye the nurnerals2-2 `ofl the drawings.

The rockf pickup device isiindicatedin general by nu meral 10, shownin thepresent form mounted on `a tractor, in dicatedgin `general* byl numeral 11. The rock pickup ldeanfelongated-v,anglel iron 13 and a downwardly facing channel 14 'whichare spaced apart from each other and whichfext'end*transversely across the front end of 4the tractor-1K1 Frame 12 also includes upstandingmembers V135i'whichareisecuredtogether at their upper ends by means 'ofl'cross braces 16. A pair of` rigid support membersI'-Aandrlsare affixed to each of the opposite ends ofj frame-'12 and `extend forwardly therefrom.

Aliplurality ofelo'ngatedand substantially rigidjtinesk or teeth'-19aremountedon frame 1,2v and extend'forwardly therefrom.'I Tines 19 are constructed" of aresilientY high carbon steel" and will `flex slightly, but willI resiliently returnl'to `their original,` shape.` The rockfdislodgng, ground 'piercing-forward', portions 20-of the tines 1 9ntl `tligrock-collecting and carrying Vrearwardlydisposed `portions-`21A of` the tines 19 `are substantially parallel to each otherhbut` are offsetflfrorn each other. The rear endfportions 211of-jthe tines 19-areA substantially horizontally disposed'uin*` `thenormalposition of frame 12fand provide a rock-collecting deck. The'front end portions 20 of the tines-19-are beveled;` to provide a sharpened point 20a thereon andfv to define forwardly and upwardly facing oblique `ground-engaging ,surfaces` 20h; YThe rock-conveying intermediateportions'19a ofthe tines'19f'ar`e`inclined with respect to boththe forward and rearward portions 29- and 21thereof. Means areprovided forsecuring tines 1-9 onfrar'ne12;"butpermitting the tines 19to wobbleor shake-in a'transverse direction relative-to thedirection of travel. VIn the form shown, such means include a plurality ofl horizontally'disposed sleeves ZZaiXed'on theangle iron 16-in spacedrelationwith-each other', and a plurality of guide sleeves 23v which are affixed on the` upper, side of channel 14 in co-extendingrelation with corresponding sleeves 22 on the angle 13.` The rear endfportions 2 1'"of the-tines 19 extend 'through the sleeves 23. and into' `the sleeves-22 for abutment against the upstanding flange of angle-iron 13; Theexternal diameter'of y"the'rear'end portion-21 ofitines 19 is substantially-less than theinteruel-diameter ofV sleeves 23 and 22.` The rear end portions 21 of ltines 19` thereby tloosely'in the sleeves 22 and 23 so asto` permit wobbling or shakingoffthfe tinesin a transverse` direction with respect `to the tines. Tine/S191 are, in-ithe formshown, secured in thegsleeves 22bymeansrof large-pins 24 such as cotter pins which extend-through suitably providedapertures in sleeves 2 2, thesrear end l portions 21 of tinesl `19 and through the bottom llange of `angle iron' 13; As best shownin-Fig: 2f, the frame 12. is normally maintained inclose relation with the ground. surface and the forward end portions of the tines `are `normally prrojectedV into \the-ground-fcr movement therethrough 'adjacent the i surface,

Means areprovidedf for` attaching the frame 12 and tines: 19 to a tractorl to permit tiltingoffthe frameand tinesaboutl agenerallyihorizontal axis; andzto permitisub'- s tantially,y verticalj` movement: ofthe framei 12? andstines 1 9. i In theA form shown, Sllh:j attaching-means: include Vand rigid'booms 26 are vertically swingably connected Aat their upper ends to the upper end of frame 25, and are pivotally connected by pins 27 to llanges or ears 28 which are aflixed to the framer12. A pair of rigidbracing members 29 are aixed at their opposite ends to the-tractor chassis adjacent the 4front end thereof and to theupper portion of loader frame 25. Y The'attaching means also includes power lift meanswhich,` in the form shown, comprises a pair of extendable and-*retractable hydraulic cylinders or rams 30. 1 Hydraulic, cylinders A30'Yinclu`de a casing 31 pivotally connected at its closedrend for vertical swinging movement to the lower portion of loader frame V25. Each of the cylinders 30 alsoincludes a piston or plunger 32 which is slidablylrecveived within the casing 31 and which is pivotally connected at its forward end to frame 12 by pivot 27. Hydraulic cylinder 30 may be controlled by any suitable means andA in the form shown is supplied with hydraulic fluid through hose V33 from reservoir34 and from the pressure pump (not shown) and is controlled bythe valve mechanism 35 and handle 36 connected thereto. The pressure pump maybe of any suitable` type driven from the tractor engine. The valve mechanism 35 is mounted on one of the braces 29 in close relation to the drivers seat of the tractor so as to be easily operated by the tractor operator.

Means are also provided for tilting the frame 12 and tines 19 and in the form shown, such means include a Y pair of cables 37 and 38 which are respectively secured to ups'tanding arms 39 and 40 disposed adjacent'opposite ends of frame 12 and rigid therewith. Cables 37 andV 38 are respectively directed toward the opposite upper corners of loader frame 25. Cable 37 is trained over pulley 41 and is guided across the top of frame 25 and trained over pulley 42. Cable 38 is trained over pulley 43. The power means for Vtilting frame 12 and tines 19 is connected with cables 37 and 38 for pulling the same, and in the form shown, such means include an extendable and retractable cylinder apparatus 44 axed within the hollow interior of one of the booms or torque bar 26 and having a cylinder 45 and a piston rod 46 to which cables 37 and 38 are both attached. VHydraulic cylinder apparatus 44 may be of the single acting type and is connected by suitably provided hose 47 to the hydraulic fluid reservoir 34, the hydraulic pressure pump (notl shown) and the hydraulic valve apparatus 35. Hydraulic cylinder apparatus 44 is controlled by operation of valve handle 48. e

The rock picking device also includes means for repositioning the frame and tines in a certain predetermined position relative to the ground surface each time the tines are brought into operative position after the same had been elevated for dumping rocks therefrom. In the form shown such means include a stop element 49 affixed to the shiftable plunger 32 of hydraulic `cylinder 30 and Y being engageable with the forward end of Vcasing 31 for precluding further shifting of plunger 32 into casing 31.

Stop member V49 may be releasably connected to theV plunger 32 soV as to permit adjustmentrofthe positionV thereof. Such Vmeans also include a pairV of ground-engag-V ingrsupports or support wheels 50 and 51 whichconstitute guide means for maintaining the forward ends of Vthe tines' at a predetermined position with respect to the 20 of tines 19 at a certain desired distance relative to the ground surface. The axles 50a and 51a of wheels 50 and 51 may be shifted into otherV of the apertures 52 to permit the frame to be carried at a higher or lower position relative to the ground surface.

Means are also provided on frame 12 for retaining rocks pushed` up` onto the rear end portionsr21rof tines 19, and in the form'shown, such means include a pair of rigid retaining bars 53 disposed above the angle iron 13 and secured to the upstanding members 15.' The bars 53and the deck formed by the substantially horizontal rear end portions 21 of tines 19 cooperate when the frame 12 and tines 19 are tilted about pivot 27 in cradling rocks and iield stones therebetween to preclude loss of the rocks from Vthe pickup device.

Means are.also provided -for preventing rocks from spilling out the opposite endsof yframe 12 from tines 19 Awhen the tinesare in operation. In the form shown, such means include `a pair of .forwardly .extending Varms or retainingbar'sV 54 securedat their rear endrportions to upstanding frame members 15 and extending forwardly into proximity with wheels 5()V and 51. y

YAs' bestY shown in Fig. l, it will be seen that the tinemounting sleeves 22 and 23. are spaced from each other a substantial distance. In addition, a plurality of auxiliary mounting sleeves 22a and23a Vare provided between the other sleeves 22 and 23 to permit the vtines ,to be rearranged inthe sleeves so asto widen the spacing between the'tines. When the tines arerrearranged in'these auxiliary sleeves smaller rocks are permitted to pass between the tinesand the tines'will only pickup the larger rocks.

Operationy Y permit hydraulic fluid to be` discharged from the hydraulic cylinder 30 and to permit the` frame 12 and'tines 19 to be lowered to the ground. The wheelsi) and V51 are mounted in the desired positions inI apertures 52 so as to carry the forward portions of the frame 12 .andthe forward end portions 2t) oftines 19 substantially in the position shown in Fig. 2.V Depending upon the nature of the soil toV be, worked and depending upon the depth Y of the rocks in the soil, the forward end portions 2t) of tines 19 may be raised or lowered Vby adjusting the vertical position of wheels 5,9 and 51,7with respect to'frame 12. It has been found in practice thatVv in many types of fsoils the forward end portions 2i) of tines 19 should be disposed approximately one Vto two inches beneath' the ground surface.' The rearward portion of frame 12 Vis maintained at a predetermined desired height'from the ground' surface by means of stop elements 49 engaging 'the forward portions of hydraulicV casings 31. The frame, when'maintaineddn substantially the position shown in Fig. 2 does not engage the ground.

The Vtractor will then be moved'forwardly pushing the forward end portions 26 of tines 19 through the ground, As the tinesr19rprogress through the ground, they shake or wobble very vigorously and will ex slightly and resiliently vibrate in aV direction transversely of their di# reetion o f forward movement vboth sideways and upand down. `eThis shaking of the tines is caused by the ground *and* therefore the friction between the tines and the ground isrre'duced, thus requiring less power to shift `the tinesthrough the ground than. ifthe tines remained stationaryf When the tines Vcome into contact with a field stone on the surface of the ground or embedded slightly therein, the rock will be lifted by the tines and will move upwardly thereon. The shaking and vibrating of the tines prevents the rock from binding between adjacent tines and therefore the rock is effectively pushed rearwardly toward the rear end portions 21 of the tines 19. Some of the earth beneath which the forward end portions 20 of the tines 19 pass tends to move upwardly toward the rear portions of the tines but the vigorous shaking and vibrating of the tines causes this earth to be broken into small particles and to be dropped between the tines onto the ground again. As more and more rocks and eld stones are collected on top of the tines 19, the other rocks already thereon are pushed upwardly over the inclined intermediate portions 19a of the tines 19 and onto the. substantially horizontal deck provided by the juxtaposed rear end portions 21 thereof. The rocks are retained on the deck by the retaining bars 53 which extend horizontally across the frame 12.

When a substantial quantity of rocks have been collected on top of the tines 19, it is desirable to dump the collected rocks into a pile of rocks or into an awaiting truck. The hydraulic cylinder 30 will thereupon be eX- tended to raise the frame 12 and the tines 19 out of the ground. Substantially simultaneously with the raising of frame 12 the hydraulic cylinder 44 is operated to retract the piston rod 46 thereof and to pull the cables 38 in a rearward direction, thus tilting the frame 12 and elevating the forward end portions 20 of tines 19 above the rearward end portions 21 thereof. The tines 19 and the retaining bars 53 thereupon cooperate to cradle the collected rocks and field stones therebetween. The tractor may thereupon be driven to the pile of stones for dumping the same thereon. When the stones are to be dumped, the hydraulic cylinder 44 is again operated to extend the piston rod 46 thereof and to permit tilting of the tines 19 in a downward direction. During the rock collecting operation and during the carrying and dumping operation, the forwardly extending arms 54 prevent rocks and stones from falling oli the ends of frame 12 and prevent the collected rocks and stones from interfering with wheels Sil and 51.

When it is desired to pick up different sized rocks with the rock picking device, certain of the tines 19 may be removed from their respective mounting sleeves 22 and 23 and other of the tines 19 may be moved over into different of the sleeves 22 and 23 so as to provide a new and different spacing between the tines 19. It has been found in the operation of the present invention several different spacings between the tines may be had with the sleeves shown in Fig. l. The spacings may be made half again as large as those shown or they may be made twice as large as those shown.

It will be ,seen that I have provided a new and improved rock picking device having a plurality of tines which pass through the ground for picking up and collecting rocks thereon, and which are so mounted to permit them to shake vigorously as they pass through the ground so as to prevent rocks from becoming lodged as by binding between the tines and to thereby reduce the amount of power necessary to push the tines through the ground.

It should also be noted that I have provided in my novel rock picking device having tines which collect and carry rocks for dumping at a desired location, means for repositioning the tines at a predetermined desired position relative to the ground surface after the same have been raised for carrying and dumping the rocks collected there- It will also be apparent that I have provided a rock picking device which efficiently elevates the collected rocks from the soil as the rocks are picked up and which provides a rock and stone carrying deck for collecting the rocks in an out-of-the-way position relative to the portion of the device for picking the rocks ot the ground.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, detail, arrangement and proportion of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention which consists of the matter described herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A rock pickup device for use with a ground power implement and comprising a frame adapted for attachment to such an implement and a plurality of elongated tines extending along the ground surface and in side by side relation in the direction of travel of the implement, said tines being mounted on said frame adjacent the ground surface for transverse wobbling and shaking movement, said tines having rock-engaging forward ends and ground-engaging guide means mounted on said frame adjacent the forward ends of the tines for positioning and maintaining the forward ends of said tines at a predetermined position with respect to the ground surface.

2. The structure recited in claim l wherein said guide means include a pair of ground wheels mounted on said frame adjacent the forward ends ofthe tines for maintaining the same at predetermined desired positions relative to the ground surface.

3. A rock pickup device for use with a ground power implement and comprising a frame adapted for attachment to such an implement and a plurality of elongated tines mounted on said frame and extending in juxtaposition in the direction of travel of the implement for movement into and through the ground surface, said tines having stone-dislodging pointed forward portions and having rearwardly inclined intermediate portions and substantially horizontal rock-collecting and carrying rear portions, whereby as said forward portions pass through the ground adjacent the surface rocks will be dislodged and pushed rearwardly over the inclined intermediate portions of the tines and onto the substantially horizontal rearward portions.

4. In a rock pickup device, the combination of a ground power implement having ground-engaging supports, a plurality of juxtaposed tines mounted for free shaking movement on the implement and extending along the ground surface and in the direction of travel of the implement, said tines having forward ends disposed below the ground surface and also having upwardly and forwardly facing oblique ground-engaging surfaces at the forward ends, whereby the soil engages said surfaces and continuously draws the tines into the soil for engaging and picking up rocks.

5. A rock pickup device for use with a mobile groundsupported power implement and comprising a frame adapted for attachment to such an implement and a plurality of elongated tines extending in side-by-side relation in the direction of travel of the implement and extending along the ground surface, said tines being mounted on said frame for wobbling movement and having forward ends disposed below the ground-engaging supports of the implement, the tines having downwardly inclined portions adjacent the forward ends thereof and extending into the ground whereby the tines are continuously drawn into the ground, and said tines also having rearwardly disposed portions above the ground surface and forming a substantially horizontal deck for collecting rocks thereon after the same have been pushed rearwardly and upwardly on the tines, whereby the forward ends of the' tines move beneath the ground surface to engage and pick up rocks and to cause said tines to shake vigorously to restrict binding of rocks therein and therebetween and permit such rocks to move rearwardly thereover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,478,142 Ortmann Dec. 18, 1923 2,267,237 Heimark Dec. 23, 1941` 2,295,917 Schwan Sept. 15, 1942 2,478,282 Kyker Aug. 9, 1949 

